|
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
HELPFUL LINKS |
Registered Beekeeper FL0360603R
KILLER BEE
FEARS |
||||
|
Panic and fear over the Africanized Hybrid Bees (AHB) in southwest Florida may be causing the killing of "other" bees vital to our economy. Killing of the more docile, European, bees is not only bad for our economy, but could upset our whole ecosystem. Bad press given to the AHB, may discourage growth in the interest of beekeeping. We may even see a further decline in local beekeeping. Other factors which can result in a decline of beekeeping is progress (construction and development) and pests (small hive beetles and mites). The last thing we need is a decline in beekeeping which is our first and best defense against AHB. Beekeepers manage the desirable gentle European bees which compete with the AHB, this competition reduces the numbers of AHB. AHB are less likely to go where there are many European bees foraging for food. Bees put food on our table in more ways than most understand. We need to teach the importance and benefits of bees and beekeeping and emphasize the positive aspects of beekeeping. Lack of education or plain ignorance may cause people to decide that it is best to just get rid of all wild bees. Not all bee hives need to be destroyed, instead call a registered beekeeper who will safely remove them without use of pesticide and perform preventative services or give helpful advice to prevent re-infestation. Bees provide more than just honey! Bees pollinate fruits and vegetables. If we lose the honeybee, we lose about a third of the world's food. We shouldn't give into the AHB. There is no reason why Florida has to be dominated by AHB, if we can keep more beekeepers maintaining the docile European bee to compete with the AHB and we don't go willy nilly killing all the wild bees we encounter. Even though there is no difference in appearance between an AHB and the gentle European bee, experienced beekeepers say they can almost reliably predict the outcome of DNA tests on bees collected and sent off for sampling. Beekeepers can observe the behavior of the beehive and the way the bees react to the beekeeper's intrusion, and determine which hives contain the bees with the "mean" genes or "nice" genes. Some beekeepers have reportedly practiced knocking on the top of hives and observing the number of guard bees that pour out of the entrance. Being astute and watching closely the activity of the bees within the hives along with maintaining healthy bees reduce the chance of AHB taking over. Unhealthy bees or colonies weakened by pests and disease are easier targets for the AHB. Why tie the hands of the ones from whom we need help? Shouldn't more freedom be given to beekeepers to properly perform complete bee removals without so many restrictions. If we have a shortage of beekeepers who are willing to also do bee removals and cities which need more help in this area, then why not change this mess?. There is so much confusion as to who can legally do what? Some say don't pry off a board to gain access to the nest (which must be done), because you have to be a General Contractor to do that. Others say, be careful that you don't accidentally kill a few bees when you are removing the nest or cleaning up the "this is a good home for bees" pheromones with soap and water, because that could be deemed Pest Extermination or Pest Prevention which shouldn't be done by beekeepers. Some say don't use a bee vacuum because that could be considered a Pest Control device. Some say don't caulk or seal the entrance (which is a must) because again you are doing something reserved for carpenters, painters, or others. All these hand-tying restrictions are not serving the best interest of the public and make most beekeepers say "forget it" when asked to help out by removing bee nests. Or when you find a beekeeper who is willing to do bee removals, then much of the work is being left up to the home owner (Not a good idea for homeowners or even a General Contractor for that matter, to open up a wall containing an active hive), simply because the beekeeper doesn't want to be guilty of some interpretation (or misinterpretation) of who can or cannot do what part of the removal process. A beekeeper is the best choice for scraping away the wax, honey, nests, etc., because he will take the care needed to do it thoroughly, and will make use of the wax, honey, etc. instead of improperly disposing of it. He also knows best, just how much access is needed to remove the entire nests. There are times when it may be best to call an Exterminator or Pest Control company and other times when the beekeeper is the best for the task. Beekeepers have the advantage of knowing bees and how to keep them calm... they just have a way with bees... sort of like a bee charmer. They also know when the job requires an exterminator or pest control person and advise the owner accordingly. So...why can't we all work together to solve the problem without crying that everybody is stepping on the other's toes? Note: Old Man Riggs no longer removes bees (retired from this 5-11-07) for LIABILITY REASONS. Here are some links to others who may be able to help with bee removal [ Carrol Rhodes ] | [ B. Keith Councell - Bee Alert ] | [ Florida Bee Removal - Apian Sting Operation, Inc. ] For more on WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW about these bees go to University of Florida IFAS Extension edis website document on AFRICAN HONEY BEE. Old Man Riggs
|
|||||
